Design engineers turn ideas into practical products, components, and systems. They combine creative problem-solving with engineering principles to develop designs that meet performance, safety, cost, and manufacturing requirements. Explore vetted Design Engineer opportunities on Ladders, including roles with salaries of $100,000 or more.
Design engineers translate concepts and customer needs into detailed designs. Depending on the industry, they may create 3D models and technical drawings, select materials, evaluate prototypes, run simulations, and work with manufacturing teams to improve production readiness. They also document design decisions and help ensure products meet applicable standards.
Employers commonly look for a degree in mechanical, electrical, industrial, or another relevant engineering discipline, along with experience in a specialized field. Helpful capabilities may include CAD and product lifecycle management (PLM) software, prototyping, testing, design for manufacturability, materials knowledge, and clear communication. Requirements vary by role and industry.
Design engineers work across industries such as aerospace, automotive, consumer products, medical devices, industrial equipment, and electronics. With experience, they may advance into senior or lead design engineering roles, specialize in areas such as systems or product development, or move into engineering management.
Search Design Engineer openings on Ladders to discover vetted professional opportunities, including positions paying $100,000 or more. Compare roles by location, experience level, and specialization, then explore opportunities that align with your expertise and career goals.
Principal Engineer - Data Retrieval
$272K - $431K *
Lead the charge in architecting and scaling data acquisition infrastructure for foundation models. Collaborate across teams to enhance web crawling, ingestion, and data quality, ensuring reliable, hig...
4 days ago
Onsite Applications Engineer - El Paso, TX
$80K - $95K *
Transform customer experiences by providing exceptional technical support and solutions for centrifugal and vacuum pumps, ensuring seamless operations and sustainable equipment performance across dive...
Reposted 4 days ago
Senior Substation Relay + Control Engineer
$105K - $150K *
Elevate the future of high-voltage systems by leading design and delivery of protection and control solutions for substations, mentoring junior engineers, and ensuring compliance with industry standar...
1 week ago
DSCA Senior AI/RAG Engineer (Software Development Analyst) - 30714
$160K - $175K *
Pioneer secure, scalable backend solutions as a Senior Developer, integrating AI capabilities within AWS GovCloud. Collaborate across teams to enhance enterprise applications and ensure robust securit...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $177K *
Lead the charge in software development across a cross-functional team while ensuring quality and technical excellence. Balance hands-on coding with team leadership to deliver high-value applications...
Reposted 1 week ago
$87K - $135K *
Drive your career forward by leading systems engineering for a cloud-based enterprise system. Engage in architecture development, integration, and modernization efforts while ensuring security and ope...
2 weeks ago
Senior Electrical & Controls Capital Engineer - Remote Eligible
$110K - $166K *
Pioneer efficient electrical and control solutions to drive project success across manufacturing platforms. Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, ensuring robust project execution and a...
Reposted today
$95K - $115K *
Champion compliance and security excellence by driving NIST 800-53 and FedRAMP initiatives. Partner with clients to ensure federal authorization, author vital documents, and manage multiple A&A projec...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Civil Project Engineer - Site Design/Municipal
$80K - $95K *
Elevate your career by leading engineering and project management for diverse land development projects. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative solutions from conception to com...
3 weeks ago
Software Engineer 4 (Commercial Nuclear)
$113K - $178K *
Drive your career with a senior role focused on software development for control room simulators, collaborating with engineers to enhance plant models and ensure high-quality deliverables in a dynamic...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Elevate your career by providing civil engineering design and support for utility substations. Collaborate with teams, mentor junior engineers, and ensure quality control while managing project scope...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Elevate propulsion engineering by leveraging advanced CAE analyses for cutting-edge vehicle systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance product performance and expedite development acr...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Lead the charge in designing scalable system architectures, optimizing technical solutions, and championing enterprise standards. Collaborate with stakeholders to deliver innovative technology solutio...
Yesterday
Director, Hardware Engineering & Integration - ATP
$150K - $180K *
Transform your career by leading hardware engineering and integration for cutting-edge robotics. Oversee design, commissioning, and team development to enhance automation capabilities across multiple...
5 days ago
Senior Structural Engineer 1 - Nuclear
$84K - $129K *
Empower your career by joining a dynamic team in structural engineering, tackling innovative projects in nuclear facilities. Collaborate, guide, and utilize advanced tools to design and analyze struct...
1 week ago
$150K - $170K *
Drive innovation as you lead AI-powered product design initiatives, collaborating with teams to create transformative user experiences. Shape the future of technology by designing functional, user-cen...
1 week ago
INGENYX - Quality Systems and Digital Engineer
$87K - $109K *
Empower the future of Quality Management Systems by leading digital transformation and validation efforts. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance compliance and efficiency in Quality proce...
Reposted today
SR ENGINEER, CONTRACT MANAGEMENT GROUP
$79K - $122K *
Transform public infrastructure by leading engineering projects, managing budgets, and ensuring compliance. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance transportation systems and utilities while providin...
1 week ago
$126K - $164K *
Pioneer innovative solar designs for utility-scale projects, leading teams to optimize high-level concepts into actionable plans. Engage with clients and ensure quality standards while contributing to...
4 days ago
Controls & Automation Engineer II
$80K - $95K *
Empower the design and implementation of automation systems while leading smaller projects, providing technical guidance, and ensuring project alignment with client expectations under general supervis...
Reposted yesterday
Controls & Automation Engineer II
$80K - $95K *
Champion the design and implementation of DCS/PLC/HMI/SIS systems, guiding complex automation projects while mentoring junior engineers. Collaborate across disciplines to ensure project success under...
2 days ago
$120K - $145K *
Lead a dynamic engineering team to innovate and enhance product solutions, ensuring alignment with customer needs and operational excellence while managing resources, budgets, and cross-functional col...
Yesterday
Engineering Manager - Data Enablement
$139K - $188K *
Drive innovative IT solutions by leading multi-disciplinary teams, establishing operational policies, and collaborating with stakeholders to achieve strategic objectives that enhance overall organizat...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Sr. Staff Physical Design Engineer
$150K - $180K *
Engineer complex physical designs for next-gen AI data center chips, driving multi-million-gate blocks to meet performance, power, and area targets. Collaborate with RTL teams, enhance methodologies...
1 week ago
Senior Engineering Manager (RD165)
$135K - $160K *
Empower a talented engineering team to develop innovative airgap-native software solutions. Drive product success in National Defense by ensuring seamless integration with UDS, fostering collaboration...
2 weeks ago
What does a design engineer do?
A design engineer develops and refines products, components, or systems, using engineering analysis and design tools to meet technical, safety, cost, and manufacturing requirements.
What qualifications do design engineers typically need?
Many roles require a bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline relevant to the work. Employers may also seek experience with CAD software, prototyping, testing, materials, and design for manufacturability; specific requirements vary.
Which industries hire design engineers?
Design engineers work in fields including aerospace, automotive, consumer products, medical devices, electronics, and industrial equipment.
How can I find Design Engineer jobs paying $100,000 or more?
Browse Design Engineer listings on Ladders, where you can explore vetted professional opportunities with salaries of $100,000 or more and filter for roles that fit your skills and career goals.
What career paths are available for design engineers?
Design engineers can progress to senior or lead roles, specialize in areas such as product development or systems design, or pursue engineering management.